Sunrise of Leawood

We are excited to recognize Brain Awareness Week from March 14 through March 20. Sponsored by The Dana Foundation, this campaign aims to increase awareness around brain health as well as highlight all the progress made in brain research. Its also a perfect time to think about our own brain health and ways we can support it with little habits each day. Our brains are incredibly complex organs so much so that we are still discovering new information about them, even after years of study and research. From understanding how we process large amounts of information to making sense of our dreams, our brains offer a seemingly endless fountain of curiosity and possibility. Of course, with the complexity of the brain comes the complexity of the conditions and diseases that affect it. Alzheimers disease, for example, is a form of dementia that robs a person of their memory and severely affects their quality of life and oftentimes the entire support system surrounding the individual including their friends, families, and professional caregivers. To date, there have been amazing scientific advancements and milestones helping us to understand this disease and how it changes the brain, but unfortunately there is not a cure. However, research has shown that the brain changes associated with the development of Alzheimers and other forms of dementia occur many years before symptoms of memory loss. This insight into the brains health shows us the importance of promoting brain health as we age. As we celebrate Brain Awareness Week, lets think of ways we can be good to our brains and consider adopting a few of our recommended strategies to support the health of your brain today! Eat a brain-healthy diet. Quite simply, a healthy diet can improve your health in a lot of ways, but it can also promote healthier brain function. According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are benefits to eating a diet low in saturated fat and full of dark-skinned fruits and vegetables, and leafy greens, such as kale and blueberries. Cold water fish and some nuts are good options, too. As research shows, eating sugary snacks and soda may reduce brain function so try to limit or replace those items with healthier alternatives. Exercise daily (or at least try to). In addition to healthy eating, exercise offers countless benefits to our bodies, from helping to reduce depression to supporting our cardiovascular systems. The brain also benefits tremendously from exercise. With each heartbeat, our brains receive up to 20 percent of the blood flow, which brings oxygen and other nutrients to keep it going at an optimal level. Studies have also shown that the brains of older women with mild cognitive impairment who exercise regularly showed an increase in the size of their hippocampus, the part of the brain that acts as a filing system for new information or the place where new memories begin to form. Since those with mild cognitive impairment are at an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. Despite the benefits, finding the motivation to exercise can be a challenge. From busy schedules to the cost of pricey gym memberships, we find reasons to put off exercising. A good first step for those who arent sure how to start is to try a bunch of different ways of being active and finding one that works for your body and schedule so you can sustain it. Perhaps its walking, swimming or even dancing. The key is to start small and slowly with the goal of building the regimen up over time. Be social and keep learning. Just as physical exercise strengthens the body, exercising the brain by remaining socially engaged and learning new things can actually support a healthy brain by building up its cognitive reserve. At Sunrise, we do this through one of our Live with Purpose signature programs: Live With Learning. Using a variety of activities including book clubs, discussion groups and even trivia, residents can engage in active recall which can support the building of new neural pathways. Cognitive stimulation can not only maintain brain health but also help older adults feel connected and engaged. At Sunrise, were proud to celebrate healthy brains this week and all year long with a delicious, nutritious meals, toolkits, activities, and exercise in our communities, and several interesting and exciting resources thanks to our partnership with Total Brain Health. This Brain Awareness Week, take some time to appreciate all the ways we can focus on having even healthier brains by fostering good habits today. Lets all make an effort to be aware of all that we can do to support brain health not only during this important week but also during every week of the year! Article By:Sunrise Senior Living

The weather can be unpredictable. In just a few hours, the day can go from hot and humid to cool and stormy. It can leave people facing emergency situations, such as tornados and flooding, with very little notice. Because seniors are more likely to live with health conditions, planning ahead for an emergency is important.From creating a home emergency kit to knowing what disaster relief resources are available, we thought it would be helpful to family caregivers and older adults if we share a few preparedness tips.Developing a PlanAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), taking time to develop a disaster plan is the first step. Here are a few items youll want to think about: Family response list: Who lives the closest to the senior that could get to them most quickly in the case of an emergency or natural disaster? Make sure everyone in the family knows who will respond and in what order. For example, if a daughter lives close, she might be personally impacted by the event and unable to respond quickly. Which friend or family member would be up next? Create and share a list to keep everyone on the same page. Medical information: Though the primary family caregiver often knows which physician the senior sees and what medications they take, its important that other loved ones do too. In the event of an emergency, family members need to be able to quickly access and share physician names and numbers, prescription medications and pharmacies, over-the-counter medications, and other essentials. Best apps for personal medical records has a list of options you might find helpful in figuring out how to easily store this information. Evacuation plan: Depending on the type of emergency, youll also want to give some thought to how and where youll meet up afterward. For example, if the senior experiences a home fire, youll want to have a plan for how they can escape the house and where they will go to call you. It is important that this location be a safe distance away. The CDC has a care plan form you can download and customize to help organize all of this vital information. Its one that can be emailed to family members once completed.Creating a Home Emergency Kit for a Senior Loved OnePutting together a home emergency kit is the best way to prepare for a disaster. The experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommend that your kit include important essentials: A three-to-five-day supply of nonperishable foods, such as canned meats, beans, and fruit, along with a manual can opener. One-to-two-weeks supply of all prescription and over-the-counter medications along with special equipment and supplies. Remember to replenish this if anything changes. One gallon of water for each person living in the home, including pets. Several flashlights and extra batteries for each of them. A hand crank weather radio or one that is battery operated and an extra set of batteries. A battery-operated cell phone charger or external power pack. Personal care items, an extra set of sturdy shoes or boots, and a change of clothes (a sweat suit is often best). A first aid kit that includes a whistle or horn to call for help. Supply of paper plates, plastic cups, plastic silverware and napkins. Food and medications for household pets. A bucket stocked with cleaning supplies, such as bleach wipes, disinfectant spray, paper towels, gloves, and face masks. Blankets, pillows, folding chairs, and a cot to sleep on. A small, easy-to-use fire extinguisher. Its usually best to store this kit in or close to the area your family member will most likely go in the event of an emergency. The basement is the first choice. If their home doesnt have one, an interior bathroom or closet are the next best options.Sunrise Communities Are Always PreparedOne of the advantages of moving to a senior living community is that most are ready to handle emergencies of all types. From fire suppression systems in suites and hallways to back-up generators, plans are in place to keep residents safe. Call 1-877-800-0364 to learn more!Article By:Sunrise Senior Living